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I’m good with that plan. But I also suspect whatever they are doing with Thuney will be kept quiet before the draft to keep everyone guessing.

I do think the draft them because you see all pro upside at LT but also high end guard upside can get me comfortable. But if they are maybe a Top 7-12 guy at best at LT while they project as a really good guard, I might opt a different direction. In the long run though - I won't argue at all with taking a LT. I am fully aligned to the power of the Oline and all for investing in it.

Since Thuney has not been extended yet and Poles pattern is trading a 4th for a high priced vet and letting them walk (Keenan Allen), Banks can be the next all-pro guard if he doesn't excel at LT. The Bears need to end the pattern of trading picks for talent. By year 3, Kiran might be a good LT or they draft high again until they get a guy to excel and hold that spot for 8-10 years.

Based on their draft slots, the Bears can easily get 4-5 of those guys. I would not be surprised if at least 4 guys listed are Bears in a few weeks.

Guys I like more than where they seem to be generally projected: Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers - Seems to have everything you want when I watch the highlights - agility, speed, balance, etc. Can pass protect and can catch. Zero fumbles on 669 carries. Savion Williams, WR, TCU - I like a few of the projected mid-round WRs (Tory Horton, Kyle Williams, Nick Nash) but I'm really intrigued by Williams' measurables and testing and how he can be used in a number of different ways. Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa - When in doubt, take an Iowa TE. I also like Jalin Conyers from Texas Tech. Willie Lampkin, OL, North Carolina - I'm not sure if he can play in the league, but I'm going to root for a guard who held his own and often dominated at a power 5 conference at 5'10" 270. Could Ben Johnson find a way to utilize him on the OL and/or at fullback? I have this perverse hope that the Bears spend their two seventh round picks on 5'10" 270 OL Willie Lampkin and 6'5" 464 Florida DT Desmond Watson. JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi - Big and penetrating DT who was also used in the wildcat(!) in short yardage and goal line situations. Tell me Ben Johnson doesn't want this guy.

I've been in Thailand all winter bored and retired. I have probably averaged 4 hours a day with football content. It doesn't make me some kind of expert but has given me a perspective. They are players I like that I think will be great, good or a sleeper type. I like players that are productive, has attitude, hard workers and love football. In no particular order just some players I like. Weapons: Mathew Golden/ WR , jaylon Noel/WR, Tyler Warren/ TE, Harold Fannin Jr/ TE, Jeanty/ RB, Hampton/RB, Judkins/ RB, OL: Campbell/ multi spots, Armand Membou/ multi spots, Grey Zabel/ multi spots,, Johan Savaiinaea/ OG, Ersery/LT, Marcus Mbow/OC,, Donavon Jackson/OG, Charles Grant/LT, James Pierce/DE, Jack Sawyer/DE, Princely Umanmien/DE, Landon Jackson/DE, Bradeyn Swinson/DE, Jordan Burch/DE, Walter Nolen/DT, Kenneth Grant/ DT, TJ Sanders/DT, Alfred Collins DT, DJ West/DT I never spent a lot of time on Ss, CBs, and LBs because I didn't think they would be high picks for us but have a few names. Latham Ransom/S, Jaylon Reed/S, Craig Woodson/S, Hunter Wohler/S Danny Stutsman/LB, Cody Simon/LB, Teddye Buchanan/LB, Shaun Dolac/LB Some random players I think will be good. Cam Skattebo/RB, Jayden Blue/ RB, Luke Lacky/TE, Eligah Arroyo/TE, Terrance Ferguson/ TE, Pat Bryant/ WR, Ricky White/ WR, Jimmy Horn/WR, Jack Kiser/LB, Nick Martin/ LB, Isaiah Bond/ WR, Brashard Smith/RB, Joshua Gray/ OC, Hollis Pierce/LT, Jackson Slater/OG , Tyler Baron DE.

I think it's easy to find tape to make someone look good or bad. Overall he's rates 15-25 by listings I've seen. I like draft Buzz a lot but don't agree him rated that high. If the Bears use Draft Buzz website to pick players then they should take him. I can't remember who , I've watched so many, but maybe Matt Miller , said he looked great his first 5 games has a minor injury and came back was very pedestrian. He watched every minute of tape his whole career and has questions about him. So who's opinion do you want to listen to? If the Bears take him, cudos to you for sticking with him, if they don't the overall opinion may be true. I honestly can't say either way. I think the top 2 LTs in this draft are Simmons ( drops because of Injury) or Ersery ( needs some development). I think there are better players in the OL but think they go inside or RT. If we take him , I will be happy that means they agree with you. I'm not against almost no one but a few players. I'm happy we have new coaches and 4 top 72 picks. This draft is icing on the cake.

to compare, here is Campbell, look how stiff he is, how high he plays, and his bad handfighting, plus how he is leaky inside. Yuck! This film is 1:38 long - well under 2 min

As long as we don't do draft Stewart or Williams, im good.

I think in the end, this all comes down to player evaluation - this is the nature of our debate. We all say we would take a blue chip LT if he was available, so the question is whether Banks is one. Here is a highlight film. There are some bad reps on it too. He is young, only newly 21. But if you look at the good reps, against premium competition, you see the makings of a Pro Bowl LT. He looks fluid and his hand fighting is excellent. He plays with great bend and pad level. Good anchor. He delivers a good punch and absorbs and tames violence at an elite level. He seeks out contact, not a catcher. He is a beast. I think we should consider that he is a blue chip prospect, coming out young as a Junior, who could really benefit from being molded by Roushar. Draft Buzz says ceiling is All Pro LT, and FLOOR is All Pro OG: (from Draft Buzz) Banks projects as a high-ceiling prospect who could excel at either tackle or guard, with the versatility to be a day-one impact starter at either spot. His advanced pass set technique and fluid movement skills translate beautifully to tackle in systems emphasizing quick-game concepts and RPOs, while his natural leverage and explosive power could make him an elite interior force. Though slightly shorter than ideal for tackle, his technical mastery and exceptional awareness more than compensate for any length limitations. His processing speed and technical foundation project particularly well to zone-based systems where his fluid movement skills and expertise in combination blocks can be maximized. While he's shown clear starter ability at tackle, his unique skill set could reach even greater heights at guard, where his natural leverage and explosive power could make him one of the league's premier interior linemen. His quick mental processing and natural feel for angles should allow him to dominate at either position. Banks has the tools to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player at either spot, with his ceiling potentially even higher at guard. His floor appears to be that of a quality starting tackle, with All-Pro potential if kicked inside. This film is 1:49 long - under 2 min.

Say what you like but they are looking beyond just being better. They have high expectations.

Totally agree with that. I want a stud LT also but may not be in this draft. Grab a guy to develop and see what happens.

when I talk about reaching, I mean drafting earlier than the average team might, but I dont think Ersery is a lesser talent or there would be no point. But I understand the fundamental difference of opinion. I dont want Jones, and some people think he is decent and a good placeholder for a year. And if i thought that, I'd probably be talking about Jeanty right now. So I get it, and I respect the difference of opinion. And if we do go into the season riding Jones and Amagadje, I sure hope that they outperform my expectations, maybe due to a better system and better coaching. And I will be thrilled to see it if thats what happens. But just in my gut, after watching some film on all these guys, I would rather see Banks or Ersery than Jones next year, even if it meant taking a guy everyone thought would go at 25 at 10. If Ersery is worth the 10th pick, and no trade downs were available, it's OK to spend the value on him thats your evaluation of him i think. So it just comes down to our differences in eval on Banks, Ersery, Jones and Amagadje, and that is the stuff that makes the world go around.

Very good move.

And by the way - I want a stud LT more than anything - it might have to be next year vs this year though.

Im fine with Braxton and Kiran for another season vs reaching given what else they did. Just my two cents. I think Jones is pretty decent - especially if talent around him is better. He isn’t great but he is middle of the road and still very young and Kiran has all the measurable.

exactly. we disagree about this. I do see LT as a gaping hole that needs filling. so much about this roster is first class, Braxton Jones is the odd man out.

You are looking at the LT position as a weakness. I think they view it as an average LT with a third round pick giving him competition already on the team. A second pick to back up both and be developed will be drafted this year. I don't usually say what I want but what I think they will do.

On nfldraftbuzz.com, they had a setting for picking not by draft buzz player rankings, but "consensus" rankings, whatever that is - sounds like a lot of opinions averaged out, I dunno whos opinions but they arent smart. Look at this ridiculous, insane, impossible draft. Whoever is making these consensus evals is really dumb LOL

I don't think they take a S or LB very high. I think 10 is a wildcard to be HB, TE , OL or DL. I think they look at speed somewhere. I don't think any of the OL are considered Blue Chip so I think they draft a prospect in the second round to compete at LT, Conerly- Grant-? I think a surprise pick could be Mathew Golden at 10. 4.25 speed gives Ben's offense another weapon. Warren could also be a weapon because of his flexibility for a first round pick.. I think Jeanty will be gone but if falls will be considered. A depth class also opens it up to take a RB later. Do not not overlook Jaydon Blue or Brashard Smith as later RBs choices. DL is the most likely as Nolen and Kenneth Grant will be there to choose from. If Allen likes a DE , maybe Pierce becomes the target. He plays the run well despite his size. I think Green maybe to much as a situation pass rusher. Otherwise scheme fits will be in the second round. Both OSU DEs fit that they looked at. Safety and LB has their positions covered this year and may be a priority next year. Also can pick up good players in free agency.

yes BPA is always the best way to go, but we were unable to fill that LT need in free agency. Its a hard position to fill, and maybe this is the year to do it, and get a guy to protect Caleb for the next 10 years. i think Banks or Ersery could be that guy. Maybe Conerly?

And just to clear that picture a little bit, their player rankings arent necessarily supposed to predict the actual draft order, because raw playing rankings dont take into account teams needs and styles. If they get it generally right, that means the evaluations were right, but draft order is something else. I love the DraftBuzz simulator on random 2 setting. It does seems to have Travis Hunter and some others dropping, maybe unrealistically, due to team needs, but they do take the guys i think are more reasonable for us early, so its like a worst case scenario simulator. I guess thats kind of like having 12 players go before your pick at 10 in a way, if im not taking Hunter if he falls because its not realistic, because if he was taken, someone else would be available instead, but I think its a good way to make sure you can get what you need no matter what happens. It helps answer questions like: who are the 2nd round and 3rd round HBs you KNOW will be there? What defensive help is available in rounds 2 and 3 on the DL or at S What skill players, WR or TE are available in 2 and 3 and for me, the question that slants everything else for me this year: Where can we get a starting quality LT at pick #39? And I think the answer to that is it's too late by then. That's the main question I hope the simulators and mock drafts can answer. I have a feeling Ersery is going a lot earlier than people think. So Ive been running scenarios where I take an OT at 10 no matter whether its Banks or a reach. ANd Im finding lots of good talent at HB, S, DT, WR and TE in rounds 2 and 3. But no reliable OTs.

I think moving up with one of the 2nd and down with the other could be an option. Move up and get someone who dropped (maybe get that 5th year option at back of first round) and than move back 10 spots with the other pick. Or maybe Simmons or Ersery fall and you also grab one of the safeties. Get the difference making talent regardless of need - more difference making talent more likely a few players really hit.

That makes a lot of sense generically in an average draft, and Jeanty is definitely the best back in the draft by far, and a good pick at 10, but I dug into that idea, and no one I like at OT falls to the 2nd round reliably. Often i had to go to Grant from W&M and he's definitely an intriguing project but he isnt gonna start at LT on day one the way I think Banks, Ersery or Conerly could. This is what keeps painting me into the corner about taking an OT at 10 and even reaching if necessary to get one who is slotted in the later part of the round, and having to take him early. The truth is there are some very good backs available in round 2, and defensive help too, especially at safety. None of those players is Jeanty, but the falloff there is a lot less than OT. To me, the only way to take Jeanty, would be if we could package our 2nd rounders together and move up to snag Ersery at 20 or 25 or something like that. If we had that pick there locked down, then Id feel very comfortable taking a non OT, especially Jeanty. But without that certainty, I feel like we're boxed into taking OT. Our two holes are OT and HB. After that we could add talent, but the starters are filled if we dont get a guy at any position. But right now, OT is wide open, and Swift aint gonna cut it for me. So OT and HB in the first three picks. (I say three picks becasue we pick #39 and then again #41, and New Orleans between the two is looking for the same kind of safety we are, so Id take the S at #39 and the HB at #41 right after, even though the HB is more important to us.

I am now fully convinced if Jeanty is there they take him. Warren maybe - but I could see them liking one of the dlinemen more. At this point I expect one of the 2Nd rounders to be oline vs a 1st rounder.